Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 190 › 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II · Factory competition · 1990 Very Rare

Mercedes-Benz
190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II

DTM homologation special of the W201 with large aero kit; blue-black metallic.

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)
Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
502BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
502 Built
Years
1990
Engine
Front, longitudinal; vertical; 4-cylinder in-line, inclined 15 degrees to the right · 2,463 cc / 2.5 LFactory: 2,463 cc
Power
175 kW / 238 PSFactory: 235 hp · converted
Top speed
250 km/hFactory: 250 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Evolution II was the final and most extreme development of the W 201 190 E, built as a DTM homologation special. It raised output to 235 hp at 7,200 rpm and added 17-inch wheels, a larger aerodynamic kit and a shorter 3.46 final drive. The archive counts 502 cars, built from May to July 1990.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityVery Rare 502 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)
    Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)
    Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)
    Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II)
    Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionEvolution II built, all left-hand drive 5021,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

RM Sotheby's credits Mercedes-Benz, Cosworth and AMG with the development and notes that the car supported two consecutive DTM constructors' titles for AMG-Mercedes in 1991 and 1992. The archive lists a pre-production start in January 1990 with standard production from May to July 1990, and a launch price of DM 115,259.70 (DM 119,717.10 with air conditioning).

RM Sotheby's describes a five-speed dog-leg gearbox, Brembo four-piston brake calipers inside 17-inch wheels, self-levelling suspension and an aero kit with a towering rear spoiler, flared fenders and an adjustable front splitter; it also records that rival teams protested the aerodynamics.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 102 E 25/2 / 102.9921
LayoutFront, longitudinal; vertical; 4-cylinder in-line, inclined 15 degrees to the right1
Cylinders41
Displacement 2,463 cc / 2.5 LFactory: 2,463 cc1
Bore 97.3 mmFactory: 97.3 mm1
Stroke 82.8 mmFactory: 82.8 mm1
Compression ratio9.7:11
Valvetrain2 intake, 2 exhaust valves per cylinder, V-shaped overhead; 2 overhead camshafts1
Fuel systemManifold injection, mechanically-electronically controlled (Bosch KE-Jetronic)1
Power 175 kW / 238 PSFactory: 235 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturerArchive also gives 173 kW. RM Sotheby's lots quote 235 hp (Monterey 2024) and 238 hp (Amelia 2021); factory figure used.
Power at 7,200 rpm1
Torque 245 NmFactory: 245 Nm1
Torque at 5,000 rpm1Archive states the range 5000 - 6000 rpm.
Redline 7,700 rpm3,4 Independently researchedMaximum revs as tabulated by MB190e16v; RM Sotheby's (Monterey 2024) gives a redline approaching 7,800 rpm.

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxManual change-speed gear; dry single-disc clutch; central floor shift1
Gears51
Gear ratiosI. 4.08; II. 2.52; III. 1.77; IV. 1.26; V. 1.0; R. 4.161
Final drive3.461
Driven wheelsRear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisSteel unit body1Archive gives "steel unit body" under frame design.
Front suspensionA-arm / spring strut with hydropneumatic level control; coil springs, hydropneumatic spring struts, torsion bar stabiliser1
Rear suspensionMultilink suspension with hydropneumatic level control; coil springs, hydropneumatic spring struts, torsion bar stabiliser1
BrakesHydraulic dual-circuit with vacuum booster and antilock system; disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear; mechanical parking brake on rear wheels1
SteeringRecirculating-ball power steering1
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,665 mmFactory: 2,665 mm1
Length 4,543 mmFactory: 4,543 mm1
Width 1,720 mmFactory: 1,720 mm1
Height 1,342 mmFactory: 1,342 mm1
Front track 1,474 mmFactory: 1,474 mm1
Rear track 1,453 mmFactory: 1,453 mm1
Kerb weight 1,340 kgFactory: 1,340 kg1Per DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 250 km/hFactory: 250 km/h1Archive: 250 km/h (with catalyst).
0–100 km/h 7.1 s1Archive: 7.1 s (with catalyst).
Fuel tank 70 LFactory: 70 L1Tank is above the rear axle.

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The archive type is 201.036, the same as the Evolution I; the engine type is M 102 E 25/2 / 102.992 (single roller chain camshaft drive). MB190e16v gives engine numbers beginning 102992 and chassis numbers beginning 201036, with a 1 in the next position for left-hand drive; the final drive is 3.46:1 instead of 3.27:1 on the Evolution I. The archive lists 8 1/4 J x 17 wheels with 245/40 ZR 17 tyres, front and rear track of 1,474 / 1,453 mm, a length of 4,543 mm and a 1,340 kg kerb weight; MB190e16v lists Blue-black (DB 199) as the only colour. RM Sotheby's notes that one car wore optional extra spoilers (a fixed front wing and a decklid spoiler under the large rear wing).

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II / W 201 E 25/2, 1990 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 502
    • Engine type : M 102 E 25/2 / 102.992 (Engine)
    • Configuration : front, longitudinal; vertical (Engine)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 4 / in-line; 15° inclination to the right (Engine)
    • Total displacement : 2463 cc (Engine)
    • Bore x Stroke : 97.3 x 82.8 mm (Engine)
    • Compression ratio : 9.7 (Engine)
    • Number of valves / arrangement : 2 intake, 2 exhaust / V-shaped overhead (Engine)
    • Fuel system : Manifold injection, mechanically-electronically controlled (Bosch KE-Jetronic) (Engine)
    • Rated output : 235 hp / 173 kW at 7200 rpm (Engine)
    • Rated torque : 245 Nm at 5000 - 6000 rpm (Engine)
    • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gearing : 5-speed manual transmission (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gear ratios : I. 4.08; II. 2.52; III. 1.77; IV. 1.26; V. 1.0; R. 4.16 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Final drive ratio : 3.46 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Driven wheels : Rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Frame design : Steel unit body (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Front-wheel suspension : A-arm / spring strut with hydropneumatic level control (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : multilink suspension with hydropneumatic level control (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic dual-circuit ... disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Steering : Recirculating-ball power steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Wheelbase : 2665 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Length : 4543 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Width : 1720 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Height : 1342 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Front / rear track : 1474 / 1453 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Kerb weight : 1340 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Maximum speed : 250 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 7.1 s (Transmission and Performance)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : above the rear axle / 70 l (Engine)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Mercedes-Benz W201 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution 2 Guide — Supercar Nostalgia Level C
    • 502 Evolution II built, all left-hand drive
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    Technical (MB190e16v) Level B MB190e16v.com (190E 16V enthusiast site)
    • Max. revs: 2.5-16 EVO II 7700/min
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  4. 4
    1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (Monterey 2024) Level C RM Sotheby's
    • engine's 7,800 rpm redline
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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